By: Sabatini Daniels

Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness (CADVA) Guyana representative Tiffiney Jackson said men who are victims of domestic violence need to speak out as they must not suffer in silence.
Speaking to Guyana Times in a recent interview, Jackson contended that men need to acknowledge that they too can be at the receiving end from women and should not be ashamed of it.

On that score, she emphasised that society needs to recognise that men are also victims of domestic violence. “We need to move away from societal norm and telling a child not to cry that’s a girl thing and allow them to express themselves because they do feel pain too,” she underscored.

CADVA Guyana representative Tiffiney Jackson

Available services
Jackson said there are many services, programmes and workshops on domestic violence, but not many men attend and those who do feel ashamed to admit that they are victims of the scourge.

She disclosed that since CADVA came onboard and joined in the fight against domestic violence, it has dealt with several cases affecting men with the same attention as treating cases affecting women.
On a different note, the CADVA representative shared mixed views on the progress of domestic violence in the country. Firstly, she said the organisation is pleased to some extent that Guyana is making strides in tackling the issue, but noted that more emphasis should be placed on education as many victims are not speaking out.

“It may seem like domestic violence has now escalated, but to my knowledge, the cases are now being brought more to the public… we still open the papers and see our women losing their lives because of domestic violence, open the papers and see someone is being chopped or burnt. They are being disfigured as a result of domestic violence.”

She reiterated that the first thing a victim needs to do is identify that he/she is a victim as one cannot seek help or persons cannot help them, if they do not identify or acknowledge that they are a victim. She highlighted that research has shown that many perpetrators of domestic violence, live in homes that condone the act.
“That is why we are tackling the issue of young people; we may not be able to change the mindset of the older generation, but we are looking at the youths who are the future and leaders of tomorrow.”

She was cognisant that while the country may not ever be free from violence, at least, it would be reduced if it is able to correct the mindset and thinking of the current generation.

Social ill
The CADVA representative said the organisation would like to see more perpetrators of domestic violence being brought to justice, noting that all civic organisations, including the private sector, must join forces to battle this social ill.

“I think it is very critical that we have as many non-governmental organisations as possible onboard and it’s a thing we must do together.”
The mission of CADVA, Inc is to provide a safe environment where individuals and communities can share and receive information to help combat domestic violence.

It does this by building the platform for Caribbean communities through dialogue forums and breakout sessions against domestic violence through education and public awareness campaigns.